Electronic devices for sending a message and buffering a bitstream

ABSTRACT

An electronic device for sending a message is described. The electronic device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device determines whether a first picture is a Clean Random Access (CRA) picture. The electronic device also determines whether a leading picture is present if the first picture is a CRA picture. The electronic device further generates a message including a CRA discard flag and an initial CRA Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) removal delay parameter if a leading picture is present. The electronic device additionally sends the message.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to electronic devices for sending a message and buffering a bitstream.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices have become smaller and more powerful in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience. Consumers have become dependent upon electronic devices and have come to expect increased functionality. Some examples of electronic devices include desktop computers, laptop computers, cellular phones, smart phones, media players, integrated circuits, etc.

Some electronic devices are used for processing and displaying digital media. For example, portable electronic devices now allow for digital media to be consumed at almost any location where a consumer may be. Furthermore, some electronic devices may provide download or streaming of digital media content for the use and enjoyment of a consumer.

The increasing popularity of digital media has presented several problems. For example, efficiently representing high-quality digital media for storage, transmittal and rapid playback presents several challenges. As can be observed from this discussion, systems and methods that represent digital media efficiently with improved performance may be beneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of one or more electronic devices in which systems and methods for sending a message and buffering a bitstream may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for sending a message;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method for sending a message;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method for buffering a bitstream;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method for buffering a bitstream;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of an encoder on an electronic device;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of a decoder on an electronic device;

FIG. 8 illustrates various components that may be utilized in a transmitting electronic device;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating various components that may be utilized in a receiving electronic device;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of an electronic device in which systems and methods for sending a message may be implemented; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of an electronic device in which systems and methods for buffering a bitstream may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic device for sending a message is described. The electronic device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device determines whether a first picture is a Clean Random Access (CRA) picture. The electronic device also determines whether a leading picture is present if the first picture is a CRA picture. The electronic device additionally generates a message including a CRA discard flag and an initial CRA Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) removal delay parameter if a leading picture is present. The electronic device further sends the message. The message may be a buffering period Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) message.

The initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter may be an initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]. SchedSelldx may be an index variable.

The electronic device may also generate an initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter if a leading picture is present. The initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter may be an initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx]. SchedSelldx may be an index variable.

Determining whether the first picture is a CRA picture may include determining whether the first picture includes only I slices. Determining whether a leading picture is present may include determining whether a picture follows the CRA picture in decoding order and precedes the CRA picture in output order.

An electronic device for buffering a bitstream is also described. The electronic device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The electronic device receives a message. The electronic device also determines whether a first access unit is a Clean Random Access (CRA) access unit, whether a leading picture is not present and whether a CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard. The electronic device further removes the first access unit. The electronic device additionally decodes the first access unit. The message may be a buffering period Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) message. Receiving the message may include receiving a CRA discard flag, an initial CRA Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) removal delay parameter and an initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if a leading picture is not present and if the CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard, then the may also set an initial removal delay variable to an initial CRA Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) removal delay parameter. Removing the first access unit may be based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter.

The initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter may be an initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]. SchedSelldx may be an index variable.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if a leading picture is not present and if the CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard, then the electronic device may also determine a removal time based on the CRA CPB removal delay parameter. Determining whether the first access unit is a CRA access unit may include determining whether all Network Access Layer (NAL) unit types corresponding to the first access unit indicate a coded slice of a CRA picture. If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if a leading picture is not present and if the CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard, then the electronic device may determine a bitstream arrival time based on an initial CRA Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) removal delay parameter.

A method for sending a message by an electronic device is also described. The method includes determining whether a first picture is a Clean Random Access (CRA) picture. The method also includes determining whether a leading picture is present if the first picture is a CRA picture. The method further includes generating a message including a CRA discard flag and an initial CRA Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) removal delay parameter if a leading picture is present. The method additionally includes sending the message.

A method for buffering a bitstream by an electronic device is also described. The method includes receiving a message. The method also includes determining whether a first access unit is a Clean Random Access (CRA) access unit, whether a leading picture is not present and whether a CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard. The method further includes removing the first access unit. The method additionally includes decoding the first access unit.

The systems and methods disclosed herein describe electronic devices for sending a message and buffering a bitstream. For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein describe buffering for bitstreams starting with a Clean Random Access (CRA) picture. In some configurations, the systems and methods disclosed herein may describe Hypothetical Reference Decoder (HRD) buffering for bitstreams starting with a CRA picture. For instance, the systems and methods disclosed herein describe modification to a buffering period Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) message and to a HRD for bitstreams starting with CRA pictures when leading pictures are present. The systems and methods disclosed herein (e.g., the HRD modification) may provide a benefit of reducing initial buffering latency when starting playback at a CRA picture at a random access point. The random access point may be any point in a stream of data (e.g., bitstream) where decoding of the bitstream does not require access to any point in a bitstream preceding the random access point to decode a current picture and all pictures subsequent to said current picture in output order. Also, the systems and methods disclosed herein may provide a benefit that the HRD will not underflow when one or more leading pictures after a CRA picture are discarded.

It should be noted that although the term “hypothetical” is used in reference to an HRD, the HRD may be physically implemented. For example, “HRD” may be used to describe an implementation of an actual decoder. In some configurations, an HRD may be implemented in order to determine whether a bitstream conforms to High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) specifications. For instance, an HRD may be used to determine whether Type I bitstreams and Type II bitstreams conform to HEVC specifications. A Type I bitstream may contain only Video Coding Layer (VCL) Network Access Layer (NAL) units and filler data NAL units. A Type II bitstream may contain additional other NAL units and syntax elements.

Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCTVC) document JCTVC-H0496 proposes bitstreams starting with CRA pictures. This functionality has been incorporated into the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) Committee Draft (JCTVC-H1003).

One example of modified syntax and semantics in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein is given in Table (1) as follows. Modifications in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold.

TABLE (1) buffering_period( payloadSize ) { seq_parameter_set_id cra_leadingpict_discard_flag if( NalHrdBpPresentFlag ) { for( SchedSelldx = 0; SchedSelldx <= cpb_cnt_minus1; SchedSelldx++ ) { initial_cpb_removal_delay[ SchedSelldx ] initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[ SchedSelldx ] if ( cra_leadingpict_discard_flag ) initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[ SchedSelldx ] initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[ SchedSelldx ] } } if( VclHrdBpPresentFlag ) { for( SchedSelldx = 0; SchedSelldx <= cpb_cnt_minus1; SchedSelldx++ ) { initial_cpb_removal_delay[ SchedSelldx ] initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[ SchedSelldx ] if ( cra_leadingpict_discard_flag ) initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[ SchedSelldx ] initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[ SchedSelldx ] } } }

Examples regarding buffering period SEI message semantics in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are given as follows. In particular, additional detail regarding the semantics of the modified syntax elements are given as follows. A cra_leadingpict_discard_flag equal to 1 indicates the presence of initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] and initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] syntax elements. A cra_leadingpict_discard_flag equal to 0 indicates the absence of the initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] and initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] syntax elements. This flag may not be 1 when the associated or corresponding picture is not a CRA picture.

initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] specifies the delay for the SchedSelldx-th Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) between the time of arrival in the CPB of the first bit of the coded data associated with the access unit associated with the buffering period SEI message and the time of removal from the CPB of the coded data associated with the same access unit, for the first buffering period after HRD initialization at a starting CRA picture when access units containing leading pictures associated with the starting CRA picture are discarded. The syntax element may have a length in bits given by initial_cpb_removal_delay_length_minus 1+1. In some configurations, this syntax element is in units of a 90 kilohertz (kHz) clock.

initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] may not be equal to 0. Furthermore, it may not exceed 90000*(CpbSize[SchedSelldx]**BitRate[SchedSelldx]), which is the time equivalent of the CPB size in 90 kHz clock units.

initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset [SchedSelldx] may be used for the SchedSelldx-th CPB in combination with the cpb_removal_delay to specify the initial delivery time of coded access units to the CPB for a bitstream starting with a CRA picture when access units containing leading pictures associated with the starting CRA picture are discarded. In some configurations, initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] is in units of a 90 kHz clock. The initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] syntax element may be a fixed length code whose length in bits is given by initial_cpb_removal_delay_length_minus 1+1. This syntax element may not be used by decoders and may be needed only for the delivery scheduler (e.g., a Hypothetical Stream Scheduler (HSS) specified in Annex C of JCTVC-H1003). Over the entire coded video sequence, the sum of initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] and initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] may be constant for each value of SchedSelldx. SchedSelldx may be an index variable. payloadSize may refer to bytes of data.

seq_parameter_set_id specifies the sequence parameter set that contains the sequence HRD attributes. The value of seq_parameter_set_id may be equal to the value of seq_parameter_set_id in the picture parameter set referenced by the primary coded picture associated with the buffering period SEI message. The value of seq_parameter_set_id may be in the range of 0 to 31, inclusive.

initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] specifies the delay for the SchedSelldx-th CPB between the time of arrival in the CPB of the first bit of the coded data associated with the access unit associated with the buffering period SEI message and the time of removal from the CPB of the coded data associated with the same access unit, for the first buffering period after HRD initialization. The syntax element has a length in bits given by initial_cpb_removal_delay_length_minus 1+1. It is in units of a 90 kHz clock.

initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] may not be equal to 0 and may not exceed 90000*(CpbSize[SchedSelldx] % BitRate[SchedSelldx]), the time-equivalent of the CPB size in 90 kHz clock units.

initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] is used for the SchedSelldx-th CPB in combination with the cpb_removal_delay to specify the initial delivery time of coded access units to the CPB. initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] may be in units of a 90 kHz clock. The initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] syntax element is a fixed length code whose length in bits is given by initial_cpb_removal_delay_length_minus 1+1. This syntax element is not used by decoders and is needed only for the delivery scheduler (HSS) specified in Annex C of HEVC specifications. Over the entire coded video sequence, the sum of initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] and initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] may be constant for each value of SchedSelldx.

cpb_cnt_minus 1 plus 1 specifies the number of alternative CPB specifications in the bitstream. The value of cpb_cnt_minus 1 may be in the range of 0 to 31, inclusive. When low_delay_hrd_flag is equal to 1, cpb_cnt_minus 1 may be equal to 0. When cpb_cnt_minus 1 is not present, it may be inferred to be equal to 0.

A nal_hrd_parameters_present_flag equal to 1 specifies that NAL HRD parameters (pertaining to Type II bitstream conformance) are present. A nal_hrd_parameters_present_flag equal to 0 specifies that NAL HRD parameters are not present. It should be noted that when the nal_hrd_parameters_present_flag is equal to 0, the conformance of the bitstream cannot be verified without provision of the NAL HRD parameters, including the NAL sequence HRD parameter information and all buffering period and picture timing SEI messages, by some means not specified in HEVC specifications.

When the nal_hrd_parameters_present_flag is equal to 1, NAL HRD parameters (from subclauses E.1.2 and E.2.2 of HEVC specifications, for example) immediately follow the flag. The variable NalHrdBpPresentFlag may be derived as follows. If any of the following is true, the value of NalHrdBpPresentFlag may be set equal to 1: nal_hrd_parameters_present_flag is present in the bitstream and is equal to 1 or the need for presence of buffering periods for NAL HRD operation to be present in the bitstream in buffering period SEI messages is determined by the application, by some means not specified in HEVC specifications. Otherwise, the value of NalHrdBpPresentFlag may be set equal to 0.

A vcl_hrd_parameters_present_flag equal to 1 specifies that VCL HRD parameters (pertaining to all bitstream conformance) are present. A vcl_hrd_parameters_present_flag equal to 0 specifies that VCL HRD parameters are not present. It should be noted that when the vcl_hrd_parameters_present_flag is equal to 0, the conformance of the bitstream cannot be verified without provision of the VCL HRD parameters and all buffering period and picture timing SEI messages, by some means not specified in HEVC specifications. When the vcl_hrd_parameters_present_flag is equal to 1, VCL HRD parameters (from subclauses E.1.2 and E.2.2 of HEVC specifications, for example) immediately follow the flag.

The variable VclHrdBpPresentFlag may be derived as follows. If any of the following is true, the value of VclHrdBpPresentFlag may be set equal to 1: the vcl_hrd_parameters_present_flag is present in the bitstream and is equal to 1 or the need for presence of buffering periods for VCL HRD operation to be present in the bitstream in buffering period SEI messages is determined by the application, by some means not specified in HEVC specifications. Otherwise, the value of VclHrdBpPresentFlag may be set equal to 0.

Examples regarding the operation of a CPB in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein are given as follows. The specifications given as follows may apply independently to each set of CPB parameters that is present and to both Type I and Type II conformance in accordance with HEVC specifications.

The timing of bitstream arrival (e.g., one or more bitstream arrival times) may be determined as follows. The HRD may be initialized at any one of the buffering period SEI messages. Prior to initialization, the CPB may be empty. It should be noted that after initialization, the HRD may not be initialized again by subsequent buffering period SEI messages.

The access unit that is associated with the buffering period SEI message that initializes the CPB may be referred to as access unit 0. All other access units may be referred to as access unit n, with n being incremented by 1 for the next access unit in decoding order.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, leading pictures are not present and the cra_leadingpict_discard_flag is equal to 1, use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] may be set to the value of initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]. Otherwise, the value of use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] may be set to the value of initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx].

The time at which the first bit of access unit n begins to enter the CPB may be referred to as the initial arrival time t_(ai)(n). The initial arrival time of access units may be derived as follows. If the access unit is access unit 0, t_(ai)(0)=0. Otherwise (e.g., the access unit is access unit n with n>0), the following may apply. If cbr_flag[SchedSelldx] is equal to 1, the initial arrival time for access unit n is equal to the final arrival time (which may be derived as given below) of access unit n−1 (e.g., t_(ai)(n)=t_(af)(n−1)).

Otherwise, if cbr_flag[SchedSelldx] is equal to 0 and access unit n is not the first access unit of a subsequent buffering period, the initial arrival time for access unit n may be derived by t_(ai)(n)=Max(t_(af)(n−1), t_(ai,earliest)(n)). In some configurations, t_(ai,earliest)(n) may be given as follows: t_(ai,earliest)(n)=t_(r,n)(n)−(use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]+use_initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx])÷90000 with t_(r,n)(n) being the nominal removal time of access unit n from the CPB (as specified in subclause C.2.2 of JCTVC-H1003, for example) and use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] and use_initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx] being specified as described above based on the previous buffering period SEI message.

Otherwise (e.g., cbr_flag[SchedSelldx] is equal to 0 and the subsequent access unit n is the first access unit of a subsequent buffering period), the initial arrival time for the access unit n may be derived by t_(ai)(n)=t_(r,n)(n)−(use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]÷90000). In this case, use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] may be specified as described above based on the buffering period SEI message associated with access unit n.

The final arrival time for access unit n may be derived by t_(af)(n)=t_(ai)(n)+b(n)÷BitRate[SchedSelldx]. In this case, b(n) may be the size in bits of access unit n, counting the bits of the Type I bitstream for Type I conformance or the bits of the Type II bitstream for Type II conformance.

The values of SchedSelldx, BitRate[SchedSelldx], and CpbSize[SchedSelldx] may be constrained as follows. If access unit n and access unit n−1 are part of different coded video sequences and the content of the active sequence parameter sets of the two coded video sequences differ, the HSS may select a value SchedSelldx1 of SchedSelldx from among the values of SchedSelldx provided for the coded video sequence containing access unit n that results in a BitRate[SchedSelldx1] or CpbSize[SchedSelldx1] for the second of the two coded video sequences (which contains access unit n−1) that differs from the value of BitRate[SchedSelldx0] or CpbSize[SchedSelldx0] for the value SchedSelldx0 of SchedSelldx that was in use for the coded video sequence containing access unit n−1. Otherwise, the HSS may continue to operate with the previous values of SchedSelldx, BitRate[SchedSelldx] and CpbSize[SchedSelldx].

When the HSS selects values of BitRate[SchedSelldx] or CpbSize[SchedSelldx] that differ from those of the previous access unit, the following may apply. The variable BitRate[SchedSelldx] may come into effect at time t_(ai)(n). The variable CpbSize[SchedSelldx] may come into effect as follows. If the new value of CpbSize[SchedSelldx] exceeds the old CPB size, it may come into effect at time t_(ai)(n). Otherwise, the new value of CpbSize[SchedSelldx] may come into effect at the time t_(r)(n).

In some configurations, the timing of coded picture removal may be implemented as follows. It may be assumed that the nominal CPB removal time and the CPB removal time of a coded picture are determined (e.g., calculated) immediately after the previous coded picture is removed from the CPB, or, for access unit 0, when the HRD is initialized.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, leading pictures are not present and the cra_leadingpict_discard_flag is equal to 1, then, for access unit 0, the nominal removal time of the access unit from the CPB may be specified by t_(r,n)(0)=initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]÷90000. Otherwise, for access unit 0, the nominal removal time of the access unit from the CPB may be specified by t_(r,n)(0)=initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]÷90000.

For the first access unit of a buffering period that does not initialize the HRD, the nominal removal time of the access unit from the CPB may be specified by t_(r,n)(n)=t_(r,n) (n_(b))+t_(c)*cpb_removal_delay(n). In this case, t_(r,n)(n_(b)) is the nominal removal time of the first picture of the previous buffering period and cpb_removal_delay(n) is specified in the picture timing SEI message associated with access unit n.

When an access unit n is the first access unit of a buffering period, n_(b) may be set equal to n at the removal time t_(r,n)(n) of access unit n. The nominal removal time t_(r,n)(n) of an access unit n that is not the first access unit of a buffering period may be given by t_(r,n)(n)=t_(r,n)(n_(b))+t_(b) cpb_removal_delay(n).

The removal time of access unit n may be specified as follows. If low_delay_hrd_flag is equal to 0 or t_(r,n)(n)≧t_(af)(n), the removal time of access unit n may be specified by t_(r)(n)=t_(r,n)(n). Otherwise (e.g., low_delay_hrd_flag is equal to 1 and t_(r,n)(n)<t_(af)(n)), the removal time of access unit n may be specified by t_(r)(n)=t_(r,n)(n)+t_(C)*Ceil((t_(af)(n)−t_(r,n)(n))÷t_(b)). It should be noted that the latter case indicates that the size access unit n, b(n), may be so large that it prevents removal at the nominal removal time.

In some configurations, it is a requirement of bitstream conformance that all of the following conditions shall be fulfilled for each of the tests. For each access unit n, with n>0, associated with a buffering period SEI message, with Δt_(g,90)(n) specified by Δt_(g,90)(n)=90000*(t_(r,n)(n)−t_(af)(n−1)), the value of use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] shall be constrained as follows. If cbr_flag[SchedSelldx] is equal to 0, then use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]≦Ceil(Δt_(g,90)(n)). Otherwise (cbr_flag[SchedSelldx] is equal to 1), Floor(Δt_(g,90)(n))≦use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]≦Ceil(Δt_(g,90)(n)). It should be noted that the exact number of bits in the CPB at the removal time of each picture may depend on which buffering period SEI message is selected to initialize the HRD. Encoders may take this into account to ensure that all specified constraints are obeyed regardless of which buffering period SEI message is selected to initialize the HRD, as the HRD may be initialized at any one of the buffering period SEI messages.

As illustrated by the foregoing, the systems and methods disclosed herein provide syntax and semantics that modify a buffering period SEI message for bitstreams starting with CRA pictures when leading pictures are present. In some configurations, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be applied to HEVC specifications.

For convenience, several definitions are given as follows, which may be applied to the systems and methods disclosed herein. A random access point may be any point in a stream of data (e.g., bitstream) where decoding of the bitstream does not require access to any point in a bitstream preceding the random access point to decode a current picture and all pictures subsequent to said current picture in output order.

A buffering period may be specified as a set of access units between two instances of the buffering period SEI message in decoding order. Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) may contain information that is not necessary to decode the samples of coded pictures from VCL NAL units. SEI messages may assist in procedures related to decoding, display or other purposes. However, SEI messages may not be required for constructing luma or chroma samples by a decoding process. Conforming decoders may not be required to process this information for output order conformance to HEVC specifications (Annex C of HEVC specifications includes specifications for conformance, for example). Some SEI message information may be required to check bitstream conformance and for output timing decoder conformance.

A buffering period SEI message may be an SEI message related to buffering period. It may define syntax and semantics which define bitstream arrival timing and coded picture removal timing.

A Picture Parameter Set (PPS) is a syntax structure containing syntax elements that apply to zero or more entire coded pictures as determined by the pic_parameter_set_id syntax element found in each slice header. pic_parameter_set_id may identify the picture parameter set that is referred to in the slice header. The value of pic_parameter_set_id may be in the range of 0 to 255, inclusive.

A Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) may be a first-in first-out buffer containing access units in decoding order specified in a hypothetical reference decoder (HRD). An access unit may be a set of Network Access Layer (NAL) units that are consecutive in decoding order and contain exactly one coded picture. In addition to the coded slice NAL units of the coded picture, the access unit may also contain other NAL units not containing slices of the coded picture. The decoding of an access unit always results in a decoded picture. A NAL unit may be a syntax structure containing an indication of the type of data to follow and bytes containing that data in the form of an raw byte sequence payload interspersed as necessary with emulation prevention bytes.

Various configurations are now described with reference to the Figures, where like reference numbers may indicate functionally similar elements. The systems and methods as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of several configurations, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit scope, as claimed, but is merely representative of the systems and methods.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of one or more electronic devices 102 in which systems and methods for sending a message and buffering a bitstream may be implemented. In this example, electronic device A 102 a and electronic device B 102 b are illustrated. However, it should be noted that one or more of the features and functionality described in relation to electronic device A 102 a and electronic device B 102 b may be combined into a single electronic device in some configurations.

Electronic device A 102 a includes an encoder 104. The encoder 104 includes a message generation module 108. Each of the elements included within electronic device A 102 a (e.g., the encoder 104 and the message generation module 108) may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both.

Electronic device A 102 a may obtain one or more input pictures 106. In some configurations, the input picture(s) 106 may be captured on electronic device A 102 a using an image sensor, may be retrieved from memory and/or may be received from another electronic device.

The encoder 104 may encode the input picture(s) 106 to produce encoded data. For example, the encoder 104 may encode a series of input pictures 106 (e.g., video). In one configuration, the encoder 104 may be a HEVC encoder. The encoded data may be digital data (e.g., part of a bitstream 114). The encoder 104 may generate overhead signaling based on the input signal.

The message generation module 108 may generate one or more messages. For example, the message generation module 108 may generate one or more SEI messages or other messages. The electronic device 102 (e.g., the encoder 104) may determine whether a first picture (e.g., an encoded picture) is a CRA picture and whether a leading picture is present if the first picture is a CRA picture. If the first picture is a CRA picture and a leading picture is present, then the message generation module 108 may generate a message (e.g., buffering period SEI message or other message) that includes one or more of a CRA leading picture discard flag (e.g., cra_leadingpict_discard_flag), an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter (e.g., initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]) and an initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter (e.g., initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx]). For example, the message generation module 108 may perform one or more of the procedures described in connection with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 below. In some configurations, electronic device A 102 a may send the message to electronic device B 102 b as part of the bitstream 114. In some configurations electronic device A 102 a may send the message to electronic device B 102 b by a separate transmission 110. For example, the separate transmission may not be part of the bitstream 114. For instance, a buffering period SEI message or other message may be sent using some out-of-band mechanism. It should be noted that, in some configurations, the other message may include one or more of the features of a buffering period SEI message described above. Furthermore, the other message, in one or more aspects, may be utilized similarly to the SEI message described above.

The encoder 104 (and message generation module 108, for example) may produce a bitstream 114. The bitstream 114 may include encoded picture data based on the input picture(s) 106. In some configurations, the bitstream 114 may also include overhead data, such as a buffering period SEI message or other message, slice header(s), PPS(s), etc. As additional input pictures 106 are encoded, the bitstream 114 may include one or more encoded pictures. For instance, the bitstream 114 may include one or more encoded pictures with corresponding overhead data (e.g., a buffering period SEI message or other message).

The bitstream 114 may be provided to a decoder 112. In one example, the bitstream 114 may be transmitted to electronic device B 102 b using a wired or wireless link. In some cases, this may be done over a network, such as the Internet or a Local Area Network (LAN). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the decoder 112 may be implemented on electronic device B 102 b separately from the encoder 104 on electronic device A 102 a. However, it should be noted that the encoder 104 and decoder 112 may be implemented on the same electronic device in some configurations. In an implementation where the encoder 104 and decoder 112 are implemented on the same electronic device, for instance, the bitstream 114 may be provided over a bus to the decoder 112 or stored in memory for retrieval by the decoder 112.

The decoder 112 may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both. In one configuration, the decoder 112 may be a HEVC decoder. The decoder 112 may receive (e.g., obtain) the bitstream 114. The decoder 112 may generate one or more decoded pictures 118 based on the bitstream 114. The decoded picture(s) 118 may be displayed, played back, stored in memory and/or transmitted to another device, etc.

The decoder 112 may include a CPB 120. The CPB 120 may temporarily store encoded pictures. For example, the CPB 120 may store encoded pictures until a removal time. In accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein, one or more of an arrival time (of bitstream data, for example) and a removal time (of a coded picture, for example) may be determined by the decoder 112 based on a message (e.g., buffering period SEI message or other message).

The decoder 112 may receive a message (e.g., buffering period SEI message or other message). The decoder may also determine whether a first access unit is a CRA access unit, whether leading pictures are not present and whether a CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard. If a first access unit is a CRA access unit, if leading pictures are not present and if a CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard, then the decoder may set an initial removal delay variable to an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter and may remove the first access unit (e.g., encoded picture) from the CPB based on the CRA CPB removal delay parameter. For instance, the CPB 120 may perform one or more of the procedures described in connection with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 below.

The HRD described above may be one example of the decoder 112 illustrated in FIG. 1. Thus, an electronic device 102 may operate in accordance with the HRD and CPB described above, in some configurations.

It should be noted that one or more of the elements or parts thereof included in the electronic device(s) 102 may be implemented in hardware. For example, one or more of these elements or parts thereof may be implemented as a chip, circuitry or hardware components, etc. It should also be noted that one or more of the functions or methods described herein may be implemented in and/or performed using hardware. For example, one or more of the methods described herein may be implemented in and/or realized using a chipset, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Large-Scale Integrated circuit (LSI) or integrated circuit, etc.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 200 for sending a message. An electronic device 102 (e.g., electronic device A 102 a) may determine 202 whether a first picture is a CRA picture. For example, the encoder 104 may encode an input picture 106 as a CRA picture. In some configurations, a CRA picture may be an encoded picture that may be decoded using intra prediction only. For example, a CRA picture may include one or more (e.g., only) I slices, where each slice has a nal_unit_type (e.g., network abstraction layer unit type) equal to 4. All coded pictures that follow the CRA picture both in decoding order and output order may not use inter prediction from any picture that precedes the CRA picture either in decoding order or output order. Furthermore, any picture that precedes the CRA picture in decoding order may also precede the CRA picture in output order. Accordingly, if the encoder 104 encodes an input picture 106 as a CRA picture (e.g., if a coded picture includes only I slices), the electronic device 102 may determine 202 that a first picture is a CRA picture. Otherwise, the electronic device 102 may determine 202 that a first picture is not a CRA picture.

It should be noted that a CRA picture may occur at a random access point in the bitstream 114. The random access point may be any point in a stream of data (e.g., bitstream) where decoding of the bitstream does not require access to any point in a bitstream preceding the random access point to decode a current picture and all pictures subsequent to said current picture in output order.

The electronic device 102 may determine 204 whether a leading picture is present if the first picture is a CRA picture. A leading picture may be a picture that follows the CRA picture in decoding order and precedes the CRA picture in output order. For example, a leading picture may be present if a picture is specified by the encoder 104 to follow a CRA picture in decoding order and to precede the CRA picture in output order (e.g., order output from the decoder 112).

Determining 204 whether a leading picture is present may be accomplished in accordance with one or more approaches. In one approach, the electronic device 102 determines 204 that a leading picture is present if the first picture is a CRA picture and another picture is present that is specified (by the encoder 104, for example) to follow the CRA picture in decoding order and precede the CRA picture in output order. In some configurations, the electronic device 102 may read data corresponding to the CRA picture and one or more other pictures to determine whether a leading picture is present. For instance, the electronic device 102 may read data that specifies decoding order and output order of the CRA picture and one or more other pictures. For example, a Picture Order Count (POC) may be utilized to determine output order. The decoding order may be determined based on the order in which syntax elements appear in the bitstream 114. In some configurations, output order may be defined as the order in which the decoded pictures are output from a decoded picture buffer in a case that the decoded pictures are to be output from the decoded picture buffer. The output order of a picture may be specified by the POC value, regardless of whether the picture is to be output. In some configurations, the decoding order may be defined as the order in which syntax elements are processed in a decoding process. If the conditions are met that a picture is designated to follow the CRA picture in decoding order and is designated to precede the CRA picture in output order, the electronic device 102 may determine 204 that a leading picture is present.

The electronic device 102 may generate 206 a message (e.g., buffering period SEI message or other message) including a CRA leading picture discard flag and an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter if a leading picture is present. For example, the electronic device 102 may generate 206 a message that includes a cra_leadingpict_discard_flag and an initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]. In some configurations, the message may also include a CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter. For instance, the electronic device 102 may generate 206 a buffering period SEI message, as illustrated in Table (1) above.

The electronic device 102 may send 208 the message (e.g., buffering period SEI message or other message). For example, the electronic device 102 may transmit the message via one or more of wireless transmission, wired transmission, device bus, network, etc. For instance, electronic device A 102 a may transmit the message to electronic device B 102 b. The message may be part of the bitstream 114, for example. In some configurations, electronic device A 102 a may send 208 the message to electronic device B 102 b in a separate transmission 110 (that is not part of the bitstream 114). For instance, the message may be sent using some out-of-band mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method 300 for sending a message. An electronic device 102 (e.g., electronic device A 102 a) may determine 302 whether a first picture is a CRA picture. This may be accomplished as described in connection with FIG. 2 above.

The electronic device 102 may determine 304 whether a leading picture is present if the first picture is a CRA picture. This may be accomplished as described in connection with FIG. 2 above.

The electronic device 102 may generate 306 a buffering period SEI message including a CRA leading picture discard flag, an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter and an initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter if a leading picture is present. For example, the electronic device 102 may generate 306 a buffering period SEI message that includes a cra_leadingpict_discard_flag, an initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] and an initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx]. For instance, the electronic device 102 may generate 306 a buffering period SEI message, as illustrated in Table (1) above.

The electronic device 102 may send 308 the buffering period SEI message. For example, the electronic device 102 may transmit the buffering period SEI message via one or more of wireless transmission, wired transmission, device bus, network, etc. For instance, electronic device A 102 a may transmit the buffering period SEI message to electronic device B 102 b. The buffering period SEI message may be part of the bitstream 114, for example.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 400 for buffering a bitstream. An electronic device 102 (e.g., electronic device B 102 b) may receive 402 a message (e.g., a buffering period SEI message or other message). For example, the electronic device 102 may receive 402 the message via one or more of wireless transmission, wired transmission, device bus, network, etc. For instance, electronic device B 102 b may receive 402 the message from electronic device A 102 a. The message may be part of the bitstream 114, for example. In another example, electronic device B 102 b may receive the message from electronic device A 102 a in a separate transmission 110 (that is not part of the bitstream 114, for example). For instance, the buffering period SEI message may be received using some out-of-band mechanism. In some configurations, the message may include one or more of a CRA discard flag, an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter and an initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter. Thus, receiving 402 the message may include receiving one or more of a CRA discard flag, an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter and an initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter.

The electronic device 102 may determine 404 whether a first access unit is a CRA access unit, whether one or more leading pictures are not present and whether a CRA leading picture flag indicates discard. An access unit may be a set of one or more NAL units that contain an encoded picture. The bitstream 114 may include one or more access units. In some configurations, the electronic device 102 may determine 404 whether a first access unit is a CRA access unit based on a NAL unit type parameter (e.g., nal_unit_type) corresponding to the first access unit. For example, a nal_unit_type 4 may indicate a coded slice of a CRA picture. In this case, the electronic device may determine that an access unit is a CRA access unit if one or more (e.g., all) of the NAL unit types (e.g., nal_unit_types) corresponding to the first access unit indicate a coded slice of a CRA picture (e.g., are equal to 4). Otherwise, the electronic device 102 may determine that the first access unit is not a CRA access unit.

The electronic device 102 may determine whether any leading pictures are present. For example, the electronic device 102 may determine whether any leading picture(s) are included in a portion of the bitstream 114. As described above, a leading picture may be a picture that follows the CRA picture in decoding order and precedes the CRA picture in output order. For example, a leading picture may be present if a picture is specified by the encoder 104 to follow a CRA picture in decoding order and to precede the CRA picture in output order (e.g., order output from the decoder 112).

Determining whether a leading picture is present may be accomplished in accordance with one or more approaches. In one approach, the electronic device 102 determines that a leading picture is present if a picture (in the first access unit) is a CRA picture and another picture is present that is specified (by the encoder 104, for example) to follow the CRA picture in decoding order and precede the CRA picture in output order. In some configurations, the electronic device 102 may read data corresponding to the CRA picture and one or more other pictures to determine whether a leading picture is present. For example, the electronic device 102 may read data that specifies decoding order and output order of the CRA picture and one or more other pictures. In one example, the electronic device 102 may receive an indicator in the bitstream 114. In another example, the electronic device 102 may determine whether a leading picture is present by determining a POC value for the picture and comparing it to the POC value of a corresponding CRA picture. If the conditions are met that a picture is designated to follow the CRA picture in decoding order and is designated to precede the CRA picture in output order, the electronic device 102 may determine that a leading picture is present. If one or more of the criteria are not met, however, then the electronic device 102 may determine that no leading picture(s) are present.

The electronic device 102 may determine whether a CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard. For example, the electronic device 102 may read the message to determine whether a CRA leading picture discard flag in the SEI message indicates discard. For instance, if the cra_leadingpict_discard_flag has a value of 1, then the electronic device 102 may determine that the CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard. However, if the cra_leadingpict_discard_flag has a value of 0, then the electronic device 102 may determine that the CRA leading picture discard flag does not indicate discard.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if no leading pictures are present and if the CRA picture discard flag indicates discard, then the electronic device 102 may set 406 an initial removal delay variable to an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter. In this case, for example, the electronic device 102 may set use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] to the value of initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx].

In some configurations, the electronic device 102 (e.g., decoder 112) may determine a bitstream arrival time based one or more of the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter and the initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter. For example, if the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if no leading pictures are present and if the CRA picture discard flag indicates discard, the bitstream arrival time may be determined as follows.

As described above, for an access unit after the access unit that initializes the CPB 120 (e.g., n>0), if cbr_flag [SchedSelldx] is 0 and the access unit (e.g., n) is not the first access unit of a subsequent buffering period, the electronic device 102 may determine the bitstream arrival time t_(ai)(n), which is based on t_(ai,earliest)(n). t_(ai,earliest)(n) may be determined based on the initial removal delay variable (e.g., use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]) and an initial removal delay offset variable (e.g., use_initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset). As also described above, the initial removal delay variable may be set 406 to the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter (e.g., initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]). Therefore, determining the bitstream arrival time may be based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter. In some configurations, the initial removal delay offset variable (e.g., use_initial_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx]) may also be set to the initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter (e.g., initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay_offset[SchedSelldx]). Thus, determining the bitstream arrival time may be additionally based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter.

As described above, for an access unit after the access unit that initializes the CPB 120 (e.g., n>0), if cbr_flag [SchedSelldx] is 0 and the access unit (e.g., n) is the first access unit of a subsequent buffering period, the electronic device 102 may determine the bitstream arrival time t_(ai)(n) based on the initial removal delay variable (e.g., use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]). As also described above, the initial removal delay variable may be set 406 to the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter (e.g., initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]). Therefore, determining the bitstream arrival time may be based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if no leading pictures are present and if the CRA picture discard flag indicates discard, then the electronic device 102 may remove 408 the first access unit based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter. For example, the electronic device 102 may determine a removal time for the first access unit based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter (e.g., initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]). When the removal time arrives, the electronic device 102 may remove the first access unit from the CPB, for instance.

The electronic device 102 may decode 410 the first access unit. For example, the electronic device 102 may decode 410 an encoded picture included in the first access unit. In some configurations, the electronic device 102 may remove 408 the first access unit and decode 410 upon removal. For example, the data associated with each access unit may be removed and decoded instantaneously by an instantaneous decoding process at CPB removal time. It should be noted that the term “instantaneous” and variations thereof may not necessarily indicate the absence of any time period. For example, an “instantaneous” process may occupy some period of time.

If the first access unit is not a CRA access unit, if the first access unit is a CRA access unit and a leading picture is present or if the CRA picture discard flag does not indicate discard, then the electronic device 102 may set 412 an initial removal delay variable to an initial CPB removal delay parameter. In this case, for example, the electronic device 102 may set use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] to the value of initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx].

If the first access unit is not a CRA access unit, if the first access unit is a CRA access unit and a leading picture is present or if the CRA picture discard flag does not indicate discard, then the electronic device 102 may remove 414 the first access unit based on the initial CPB removal delay parameter. For example, the electronic device 102 may determine a removal time for the first access unit based on the initial CPB removal delay parameter (e.g., initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]). When the removal time arrives, the electronic device 102 may remove the first access unit from the CPB, for instance.

The electronic device 102 may decode 416 the first access unit. For example, the electronic device 102 may decode 416 an encoded picture included in the first access unit. For example, the data associated with each access unit may be removed and decoded instantaneously by an instantaneous decoding process at CPB removal time.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of a method 500 for buffering a bitstream. An electronic device 102 (e.g., electronic device B 102 b) may receive 502 a buffering period SEI message. This may be accomplished as described above in connection with FIG. 4, for example.

The electronic device 102 may determine 504 whether a first access unit is a CRA access unit, whether one or more leading pictures are not present and whether a CRA leading picture flag indicates discard. This may be accomplished as described above in connection with FIG. 4, for example.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if no leading pictures are present and if the CRA picture discard flag indicates discard, then the electronic device 102 may set 506 an initial removal delay variable to an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter. In this case, for example, the electronic device 102 may set use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] to the value of initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx].

In some configurations, the electronic device 102 may determine a bitstream arrival time based on one or more of the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter and the initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter. This may be done as described in connection with FIG. 4 above, for example.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if no leading pictures are present and if the CRA picture discard flag indicates discard, then the electronic device 102 may determine 508 a removal time (e.g., t_(r,n)) based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter. This may be accomplished as described above in connection with initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]÷90000.

If the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if no leading pictures are present and if the CRA picture discard flag indicates discard, then the electronic device 102 may remove 510 the first access unit based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter. For example, the electronic device 102 may determine 508 a removal time (e.g., t_(r,n)) for the first access unit based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter (e.g., initial_cra_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]) as described above. When the removal time (e.g., t_(r,n)) arrives, the electronic device 102 may remove 510 the first access unit from the CPB, for instance.

The electronic device 102 may decode 512 the first access unit. For example, the electronic device 102 may decode 512 an encoded picture included in the first access unit. For example, the data associated with each access unit may be removed and decoded instantaneously by an instantaneous decoding process at CPB removal time.

If the first access unit is not a CRA access unit, if the first access unit is a CRA access unit and a leading picture is present or if the CRA picture discard flag does not indicate discard, then the electronic device 102 may set 514 an initial removal delay variable to an initial CPB removal delay parameter. In this case, for example, the electronic device 102 may set use_initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx] to the value of initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx].

If the first access unit is not a CRA access unit, if the first access unit is a CRA access unit and a leading picture is present or if the CRA picture discard flag does not indicate discard, then the electronic device 102 may determine 516 a removal time (e.g., t_(r,n)) based on the initial CPB removal delay parameter. This may be accomplished as described above in connection with initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]÷90000.

If the first access unit is not a CRA access unit, if the first access unit is a CRA access unit and a leading picture is present or if the CRA picture discard flag does not indicate discard, then the electronic device 102 may remove 518 the first access unit based on the initial CPB removal delay parameter. For example, the electronic device 102 may determine 516 a removal time (e.g., t_(r,n)) for the first access unit based on the initial CPB removal delay parameter (e.g., initial_cpb_removal_delay[SchedSelldx]) as described above. When the removal time (e.g., t_(r,n)) arrives, the electronic device 102 may remove 518 the first access unit from the CPB, for instance.

The electronic device 102 may decode 520 the first access unit. For example, the electronic device 102 may decode 520 an encoded picture included in the first access unit. For example, the data associated with each access unit may be removed and decoded instantaneously by an instantaneous decoding process at CPB removal time.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of an encoder 604 on an electronic device 602. It should be noted that one or more of the elements illustrated as included within the electronic device 602 may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both. For example, the electronic device 602 includes an encoder 604, which may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both. For instance, the encoder 604 may be implemented as a circuit, integrated circuit, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), processor in electronic communication with memory with executable instructions, firmware, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., or a combination thereof. In some configurations, the encoder 604 may be a HEVC coder.

The electronic device 602 may include a source 622. The source 622 may provide picture or image data (e.g., video) as one or more input pictures 606 to the encoder 604. Examples of the source 622 may include image sensors, memory, communication interfaces, network interfaces, wireless receivers, ports, etc.

One or more input pictures 606 may be provided to an intra-frame prediction module and reconstruction buffer 624. An input picture 606 may also be provided to a motion estimation and motion compensation module 646 and to a subtraction module 628.

The intra-frame prediction module and reconstruction buffer 624 may generate intra mode information 640 and an intra signal 626 based on one or more input pictures 606 and reconstructed data 660. The motion estimation and motion compensation module 646 may generate inter mode information 648 and an inter signal 644 based on one or more input pictures 606 and a reference picture buffer 676 signal 678. In some configurations, the reference picture buffer 676 may include data from one or more reference pictures in the reference picture buffer 676.

The encoder 604 may select between the intra signal 626 and the inter signal 644 in accordance with a mode. The intra signal 626 may be used in order to exploit spatial characteristics within a picture in an intra coding mode. The inter signal 644 may be used in order to exploit temporal characteristics between pictures in an inter coding mode. While in the intra coding mode, the intra signal 626 may be provided to the subtraction module 628 and the intra mode information 640 may be provided to an entropy coding module 642. While in the inter coding mode, the inter signal 644 may be provided to the subtraction module 628 and the inter mode information 648 may be provided to the entropy coding module 642.

Either the intra signal 626 or the inter signal 644 (depending on the mode) is subtracted from an input picture 606 at the subtraction module 628 in order to produce a prediction residual 630. The prediction residual 630 is provided to a transformation module 632. The transformation module 632 may compress the prediction residual 630 to produce a transformed signal 634 that is provided to a quantization module 636. The quantization module 636 quantizes the transformed signal 634 to produce transformed and quantized coefficients (TQCs) 638.

The TQCs 638 are provided to an entropy coding module 642 and an inverse quantization module 650. The inverse quantization module 650 performs inverse quantization on the TQCs 638 to produce an inverse quantized signal 652 that is provided to an inverse transformation module 654. The inverse transformation module 654 decompresses the inverse quantized signal 652 to produce a decompressed signal 656 that is provided to a reconstruction module 658.

The reconstruction module 658 may produce reconstructed data 660 based on the decompressed signal 656. For example, the reconstruction module 658 may reconstruct (modified) pictures. The reconstructed data 660 may be provided to a deblocking filter 662 and to the intra prediction module and reconstruction buffer 624. The deblocking filter 662 may produce a filtered signal 664 based on the reconstructed data 660.

The filtered signal 664 may be provided to a sample adaptive offset (SAO) module 666. The SAO module 666 may produce SAO information 668 that is provided to the entropy coding module 642 and an SAO signal 670 that is provided to an adaptive loop filter (ALF) 672. The ALF 672 produces an ALF signal 674 that is provided to the reference picture buffer 676. The ALF signal 674 may include data from one or more pictures that may be used as reference pictures.

The entropy coding module 642 may code the TQCs 638 to produce bitstream A 614 a (e.g., encoded picture data). For example, the entropy coding module 642 may code the TQCs 638 using Context-Adaptive Variable Length Coding (CAVLC) or Context-Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC). In particular, the entropy coding module 642 may code the TQCs 638 based on one or more of intra mode information 640, inter mode information 648 and SAO information 668. Bitstream A 614 a (e.g., encoded picture data) may be provided to a message generation module 608. The message generation module 608 may be configured similarly to the message generation module 108 described in connection with FIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, the message generation module 608 may perform one or more of the procedures described in connection with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

For example, the message generation module 608 may generate a message (e.g., buffering period SEI message or other message) including one or more of a CRA leading picture discard flag, an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter and an initial CRA CPB removal delay offset parameter if a first picture (in the bitstream 614 a, for example) is a CRA picture and if a leading picture is present. In some configurations, the message may be inserted into bitstream A 614 a to produce bitstream B 614 b. Thus, the message may be generated after the entire bitstream A 614 a is generated (e.g., after most of bitstream B 614 b is generated), for example. In other configurations, the message may not be inserted into bitstream A 614 a (in which case bitstream B 614 b may be the same as bitstream A 614 a), but may be provided in a separate transmission 610.

In some configurations, the electronic device 602 sends the bitstream 614 to another electronic device. For example, the bitstream 614 may be provided to a communication interface, network interface, wireless transmitter, port, etc. For instance, the bitstream 614 may be transmitted to another electronic device via LAN, the Internet, a cellular phone base station, etc. The bitstream 614 may additionally or alternatively be stored in memory or other component on the electronic device 602.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of a decoder 712 on an electronic device 702. The decoder 712 may be included in an electronic device 702. For example, the decoder 712 may be a HEVC decoder. The decoder 712 and one or more of the elements illustrated as included in the decoder 712 may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both. The decoder 712 may receive a bitstream 714 (e.g., one or more encoded pictures and overhead data included in the bitstream 714) for decoding. In some configurations, the received bitstream 714 may include received overhead data, such as a message (e.g., buffer period SEI message or other message), slice header, PPS, etc. In some configurations, the decoder 712 may additionally receive a separate transmission 710. The separate transmission 710 may include a message (e.g., a buffer period SEI message or other message). For example, a buffer period SEI message or other message may be received in a separate transmission 710 instead of in the bitstream 714. However, it should be noted that the separate transmission 710 may be optional and may not be utilized in some configurations.

The decoder 712 includes a CPB 720. The CPB 720 may be configured similarly to the CPB 120 described in connection with FIG. 1 above. Additionally or alternatively, the decoder 712 may perform one or more of the procedures described in connection with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. For example, the decoder 712 may receive a message (e.g., buffering period SEI message or other message). Additionally, the decoder 712 may perform one or more of setting an initial removal delay variable to an initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter and removing a first access unit based on the initial CRA CPB removal delay parameter if the first access unit is a CRA access unit, if a leading picture is not present and if a CRA leading picture discard flag indicates discard. It should be noted that one or more access units may be included in the bitstream and may include one or more of encoded picture data and overhead data.

The Coded Picture Buffer (CPB) 720 may provide encoded picture data to an entropy decoding module 701. The encoded picture data may be entropy decoded by an entropy decoding module 701, thereby producing a motion information signal 703 and quantized, scaled and/or transformed coefficients 705.

The motion information signal 703 may be combined with a portion of a reference frame signal 798 from a frame memory 709 at a motion compensation module 780, which may produce an inter-frame prediction signal 782. The quantized, descaled and/or transformed coefficients 705 may be inverse quantized, scaled and inverse transformed by an inverse module 707, thereby producing a decoded residual signal 784. The decoded residual signal 784 may be added to a prediction signal 792 to produce a combined signal 786. The prediction signal 792 may be a signal selected from either the inter-frame prediction signal 782 produced by the motion compensation module 780 or an intra-frame prediction signal 790 produced by an intra-frame prediction module 788. In some configurations, this signal selection may be based on (e.g., controlled by) the bitstream 714.

The intra-frame prediction signal 790 may be predicted from previously decoded information from the combined signal 786 (in the current frame, for example). The combined signal 786 may also be filtered by a de-blocking filter 794. The resulting filtered signal 796 may be written to frame memory 709. The resulting filtered signal 796 may include a decoded picture. The frame memory 709 may provide a decoded picture 718.

FIG. 8 illustrates various components that may be utilized in a transmitting electronic device 802. One or more of the electronic devices 102, 602, 702 described herein may be implemented in accordance with the transmitting electronic device 802 illustrated in FIG. 8.

The transmitting electronic device 802 includes a processor 817 that controls operation of the electronic device 802. The processor 817 may also be referred to as a CPU. Memory 811, which may include both read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) or any type of device that may store information, provides instructions 813 a (e.g., executable instructions) and data 815 a to the processor 817. A portion of the memory 811 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). The memory 811 may be in electronic communication with the processor 817.

Instructions 813 b and data 815 b may also reside in the processor 817. Instructions 813 b and/or data 815 b loaded into the processor 817 may also include instructions 813 a and/or data 815 a from memory 811 that were loaded for execution or processing by the processor 817. The instructions 813 b may be executed by the processor 817 to implement the systems and methods disclosed herein. For example, the instructions 813 b may be executable to perform one or more of the methods 200, 300, 400, 500 described above.

The transmitting electronic device 802 may include one or more communication interfaces 819 for communicating with other electronic devices (e.g., receiving electronic device). The communication interfaces 819 may be based on wired communication technology, wireless communication technology, or both. Examples of a communication interface 819 include a serial port, a parallel port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an Ethernet adapter, an IEEE 1394 bus interface, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus interface, an infrared (IR) communication port, a Bluetooth wireless communication adapter, a wireless transceiver in accordance with 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications and so forth.

The transmitting electronic device 802 may include one or more output devices 823 and one or more input devices 821. Examples of output devices 823 include a speaker, printer, etc. One type of output device that may be included in an electronic device 802 is a display device 825. Display devices 825 used with configurations disclosed herein may utilize any suitable image projection technology, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), gas plasma, electroluminescence or the like. A display controller 827 may be provided for converting data stored in the memory 811 into text, graphics, and/or moving images (as appropriate) shown on the display 825. Examples of input devices 821 include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, remote control device, button, joystick, trackball, touchpad, touchscreen, lightpen, etc.

The various components of the transmitting electronic device 802 are coupled together by a bus system 829, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus and a status signal bus, in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 8 as the bus system 829. The transmitting electronic device 802 illustrated in FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram rather than a listing of specific components.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating various components that may be utilized in a receiving electronic device 902. One or more of the electronic devices 102, 602, 702 described herein may be implemented in accordance with the receiving electronic device 902 illustrated in FIG. 9.

The receiving electronic device 902 includes a processor 917 that controls operation of the electronic device 902. The processor 917 may also be referred to as a CPU. Memory 911, which may include both read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) or any type of device that may store information, provides instructions 913 a (e.g., executable instructions) and data 915 a to the processor 917. A portion of the memory 911 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). The memory 911 may be in electronic communication with the processor 917.

Instructions 913 b and data 915 b may also reside in the processor 917. Instructions 913 b and/or data 915 b loaded into the processor 917 may also include instructions 913 a and/or data 915 a from memory 911 that were loaded for execution or processing by the processor 917. The instructions 913 b may be executed by the processor 917 to implement the systems and methods disclosed herein. For example, the instructions 913 b may be executable to perform one or more of the methods 200, 300, 400, 500 described above.

The receiving electronic device 902 may include one or more communication interfaces 919 for communicating with other electronic devices (e.g., a transmitting electronic device). The communication interface 919 may be based on wired communication technology, wireless communication technology, or both. Examples of a communication interface 919 include a serial port, a parallel port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an Ethernet adapter, an IEEE 1394 bus interface, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus interface, an infrared (IR) communication port, a Bluetooth wireless communication adapter, a wireless transceiver in accordance with 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications and so forth.

The receiving electronic device 902 may include one or more output devices 923 and one or more input devices 921. Examples of output devices 923 include a speaker, printer, etc. One type of output device that may be included in an electronic device 902 is a display device 925. Display devices 925 used with configurations disclosed herein may utilize any suitable image projection technology, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), gas plasma, electroluminescence or the like. A display controller 927 may be provided for converting data stored in the memory 911 into text, graphics, and/or moving images (as appropriate) shown on the display 925. Examples of input devices 921 include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, remote control device, button, joystick, trackball, touchpad, touchscreen, lightpen, etc.

The various components of the receiving electronic device 902 are coupled together by a bus system 929, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus and a status signal bus, in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 9 as the bus system 929. The receiving electronic device 902 illustrated in FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram rather than a listing of specific components.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of an electronic device 1002 in which systems and methods for sending a message may be implemented. The electronic device 1002 includes encoding means 1031 and transmitting means 1033. The encoding means 1031 and transmitting means 1033 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described in connection with one or more of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 above. For example, the encoding means 1031 and transmitting means 1033 may generate a bitstream 1014. FIG. 8 above illustrates one example of a concrete apparatus structure of FIG. 10. Other various structures may be implemented to realize one or more of the functions of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8. For example, a DSP may be realized by software.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of an electronic device 1102 in which systems and methods for buffering a bitstream 1114 may be implemented. The electronic device 1102 may include receiving means 1135 and decoding means 1137. The receiving means 1135 and decoding means 1137 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described in connection with one or more of FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 above. For example, the receiving means 1135 and decoding means 1137 may receive a bitstream 1114. FIG. 9 above illustrates one example of a concrete apparatus structure of FIG. 11. Other various structures may be implemented to realize one or more functions of FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 9. For example, a DSP may be realized by software.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a processor. The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, may denote a computer- and/or processor-readable medium that is non-transitory and tangible. By way of example, and not limitation, a computer-readable or processor-readable medium may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray® disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.

It should be noted that one or more of the methods described herein may be implemented in and/or performed using hardware. For example, one or more of the methods or approaches described herein may be implemented in and/or realized using a chipset, an ASIC, a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) or integrated circuit, etc.

Each of the methods disclosed herein comprises one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another and/or combined into a single step without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the method that is being described, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the systems, methods, and apparatus described herein without departing from the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for sending a buffering period Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) message by an electronic device, comprising: coding first initial CPB removal delay parameters, a flag which indicates whether second initial CPB removal delay parameters are present, and second initial CPB removal delay parameters when the flag indicates its presence, wherein initial removal delay variables is set to second initial cpb removal delay parameters when a set of conditions is met, and initial removal delay variables is set to first initial cpb removal delay parameters when the set of conditions is not met, and sending the buffering period Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) message. 